Harambee Stars defender Okumu joins top football club

Mozambique striker Canhembe Amancio (with the ball) beats Harambee Stars defenders Samuel Olwande (left), Joash Onyango (second left) and Joseph Okumu (right) before scoring during an international friendly match at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, Oct 13, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, The Standard]

Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has moved to a Belgium based club KAA Gent from IF Elfsborg in Sweden, a club he joined in 2019.

Okumu signed a four-year deal estimated at Sh400 million on Sunday.

The tough defender, who plays as a centre-back, had an impressive season with Elfsborg and attracted interest from clubs in France and Scotland.

Elfsborg play in the Allsvenskan and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Swedish football. Their home ground is Boras Arena, where they have played since 2005.

Okumu signing his contract. [Photo: Courtesy]

Okumu joined the Swedish side after playing for Harambee Stars in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2019.

The 24-year-old star in a recent interview revealed his hunger to play in another country after scintillating performances in Sweden.

"Yes, definitely will take the next step. The most important thing is that I have already made an impression here.

"When I have done that, both I and the club are satisfied. I think we have the same interests here, so I will take the next step,” Okumu 'Crouch' told the media.

Joseph Okumu [Twitter]

Okumu has played club football for Kenya’s Chemelil Sugar, Free State Stars (South Africa) and AFC Ann Arbor (USA).

He signed for USL Championship side Real Monarchs in 2018 before moving to Elfsborg for an undisclosed fee in 2019.

The popular centre back made his Harambee Stars debut in 2016 after featuring for the under-21 and under-23 teams.